Trump needed Falwell in 2016, as you noted, but the difference today is that he doesn't need the Evangelical leaders to galvanize the White Evangelical vote. Falwell may face lawsuits from Liberty U and its alumni, other Evangelicals may be exposed as frauds, but none of this will impact Trump's support with the White Evangelical base. This is not about religion, it's simply about White grievance. There is simply no possibility that a devout Christian is voting for Trump because of a principled stand. Even pro-life voters aren't bothering to pretend that their vote has anything to do with Trump's position on abortion. They will vote for Trump, knowing the death toll attributable to his mismanagement of Covid, the massacre of the Kurds, troops with bounties, children dead from malign neglect at the border. If they're not using the veil of religion to cover their racial and liberal animosity, why should anyone continue the pretense?
Thanks! Actually, as I wrote in recent columns, Trump's support among evangelicals has been soft, largely due to covid and many being older. This kind of thing makes some just sour on politics altogether -- for a little while. And the evangelical vote, per Pew Research, has shrunk by 2% points, as people have died off. It's why Trump hasn't mentioned LGBTQ. See these two columns...
I agree that support has softened amongst this demographic and with time this older age group will no longer hold a dominant position in terms of electoral college voters, but it's difficult to see a significant swing in this demographic in the next two months. At best, we can hope that fewer will vote at all.
They have to use religion as a foil, otherwise they have to admit to themselves that they hate themselves and actually are horrible human beings - self hate is very destructive - Trump is exhibit A
Trump doesn't hate himself...he knows that something is missing (a heart, a soul) which he has tried to fill with money, power, and extorted adulation from others. He's a broken man who has been allowed by endless holes in our system to impose his psychopathies on the country. His supporters are day traders, focused on short--term thrills at the expense of everything else, including their children and their futures.
“Blew” The lid off indeed. Pun intended. I’m sure there are way more sordid details than just Falwell jr “watching” all of his sex addict wife’s antics but somebody had to hold the camera and control the extortion evidence. I’ve been in these so called “straight“ watching 3 ways & before you know it all the square pegs “end up” fitting in all the round holes. But I digress as you Michael have correctly repeated each time , it Is not the legal fun consensual act that is the issuer ,,, it’s the massive hypocrisy fraud and idiotic attempted extortion. What part of you can record an old school extortion phone call as easily as make a porn from your damn smart phone?!
Not so smart dumb ass Jerry but totally in line w the Trump criminal dumb mob tactics.
Idiots. And don’t get me started on “religious” bigot institutes not paying taxes and using ours! 😣
They knew: just thought they could secretly keep it hidden like trump and his crew try to keep their deceit quiet. It all does eventually surface to the top.
The Cohen book does indeed make the link between the photos and Trump endorsement. I put this update on this post.
UPDATE 9/8: A day after I posted this piece, Michael Cohen did indeed make the link between the photographs and the endorsement in his new book, “Disloyal: The Memoir.” He didn’t explicitly say that it was a quid pro quo, which would be an admission. But he writes that he “helped persuade” Jerry Falwell to endorse Trump. Later, separately, he explains how helped make sure the compromising photos didn’t get out, and discusses it as the type of “favor” he would call in for Trump:
Per Reuters:
“If Becki Falwell was seen half-naked by the students of Liberty University, let alone evangelicals all over the country, it would be an unmitigated disaster,” he writes.
After succeeding at keeping the photos from being released, Cohen writes that he “called Becki and reassured her that the pictures wouldn’t get out, but I could hear the fear and sadness in her voice. I reassured her I wouldn’t let her down, and I didn’t”…
…“In good time, I would call in this favor, not for me, but for the Boss, at a crucial moment on his journey to the presidency.”
just goes to show the problem with these cult of personality institutions. Lax oversight by the board, probably handpicked by Falwell, and afraid to challenge the son of the founder. The university shouldn't pay a dime of severance, but they probably will.
Micheal, forgot to ask ,, but why was Granda trying to take the high road at first during your interview last week? Was awkward at first. There is no high road in this story in my opinion lol
Trump needed Falwell in 2016, as you noted, but the difference today is that he doesn't need the Evangelical leaders to galvanize the White Evangelical vote. Falwell may face lawsuits from Liberty U and its alumni, other Evangelicals may be exposed as frauds, but none of this will impact Trump's support with the White Evangelical base. This is not about religion, it's simply about White grievance. There is simply no possibility that a devout Christian is voting for Trump because of a principled stand. Even pro-life voters aren't bothering to pretend that their vote has anything to do with Trump's position on abortion. They will vote for Trump, knowing the death toll attributable to his mismanagement of Covid, the massacre of the Kurds, troops with bounties, children dead from malign neglect at the border. If they're not using the veil of religion to cover their racial and liberal animosity, why should anyone continue the pretense?
Thanks! Actually, as I wrote in recent columns, Trump's support among evangelicals has been soft, largely due to covid and many being older. This kind of thing makes some just sour on politics altogether -- for a little while. And the evangelical vote, per Pew Research, has shrunk by 2% points, as people have died off. It's why Trump hasn't mentioned LGBTQ. See these two columns...
https://signorile.substack.com/p/trump-isnt-even-faking-support-for
https://signorile.substack.com/p/why-trumps-order-to-open-churches
I agree that support has softened amongst this demographic and with time this older age group will no longer hold a dominant position in terms of electoral college voters, but it's difficult to see a significant swing in this demographic in the next two months. At best, we can hope that fewer will vote at all.
Right, that's what I meant. Softening meaning they will just not vote. I don't see them turning to Biden. All we need are a few not voting.
They have to use religion as a foil, otherwise they have to admit to themselves that they hate themselves and actually are horrible human beings - self hate is very destructive - Trump is exhibit A
Trump doesn't hate himself...he knows that something is missing (a heart, a soul) which he has tried to fill with money, power, and extorted adulation from others. He's a broken man who has been allowed by endless holes in our system to impose his psychopathies on the country. His supporters are day traders, focused on short--term thrills at the expense of everything else, including their children and their futures.
That too
“Blew” The lid off indeed. Pun intended. I’m sure there are way more sordid details than just Falwell jr “watching” all of his sex addict wife’s antics but somebody had to hold the camera and control the extortion evidence. I’ve been in these so called “straight“ watching 3 ways & before you know it all the square pegs “end up” fitting in all the round holes. But I digress as you Michael have correctly repeated each time , it Is not the legal fun consensual act that is the issuer ,,, it’s the massive hypocrisy fraud and idiotic attempted extortion. What part of you can record an old school extortion phone call as easily as make a porn from your damn smart phone?!
Not so smart dumb ass Jerry but totally in line w the Trump criminal dumb mob tactics.
Idiots. And don’t get me started on “religious” bigot institutes not paying taxes and using ours! 😣
Why did it take so long for Liberty University to know about the corruption is my question?
They knew: just thought they could secretly keep it hidden like trump and his crew try to keep their deceit quiet. It all does eventually surface to the top.
The Cohen book does indeed make the link between the photos and Trump endorsement. I put this update on this post.
UPDATE 9/8: A day after I posted this piece, Michael Cohen did indeed make the link between the photographs and the endorsement in his new book, “Disloyal: The Memoir.” He didn’t explicitly say that it was a quid pro quo, which would be an admission. But he writes that he “helped persuade” Jerry Falwell to endorse Trump. Later, separately, he explains how helped make sure the compromising photos didn’t get out, and discusses it as the type of “favor” he would call in for Trump:
Per Reuters:
“If Becki Falwell was seen half-naked by the students of Liberty University, let alone evangelicals all over the country, it would be an unmitigated disaster,” he writes.
After succeeding at keeping the photos from being released, Cohen writes that he “called Becki and reassured her that the pictures wouldn’t get out, but I could hear the fear and sadness in her voice. I reassured her I wouldn’t let her down, and I didn’t”…
…“In good time, I would call in this favor, not for me, but for the Boss, at a crucial moment on his journey to the presidency.”
Hoping to see these charlatans go down in flames.
Ewwwww! I need lots of soap and hot water to wash this slimy story away. The hypocrisy of the "evangelical christians" is really revolting.
just goes to show the problem with these cult of personality institutions. Lax oversight by the board, probably handpicked by Falwell, and afraid to challenge the son of the founder. The university shouldn't pay a dime of severance, but they probably will.
All hypocrites! They need to go away and we don’t hear from them or the
Iikes of them anymore!
Micheal, forgot to ask ,, but why was Granda trying to take the high road at first during your interview last week? Was awkward at first. There is no high road in this story in my opinion lol